Schroeppel, Hastings town residents have new legislator

Jack Brandt, an attorney who previously served as town justice in Schroeppel, was sworn in to fill the vacant District 12 seat on the Oswego County Legislature. He was sworn in by his daughter, Karen Brandt-Brown (left), who is currently a town justice in Schroeppel, with his wife by his side.

by Andrew Henderson

Jack Brandt, an attorney who previously served as town justice in Schroeppel, was sworn in to fill the vacant District 12 seat on the Oswego County Legislature.

Brandt will replace veteran lawmaker Art Ospelt, who died Dec. 18.

He was sworn into office by his daughter, Karen Brandt-Brown, who is currently a town justice in Schroeppel, with his wife by his side.

“I want to thank the legislature for the opportunity to serve the county in this capacity,” Brandt said following the swearing in ceremony.

Brandt thanked many people, individually and collectively, for helping him join the ranks of county legislator. Some of those people include Schroeppel Town Republican Committee Chairman Carl Richarson, and Fred Beardsley of the Town of Hastings Republican Committee.

He pledged that he will be voting for what he believes to be the best interests of the residents of the 12th District.

“I told the Schroeppel committee and the Hastings committee that my vote on any issue presented in these chambers will be based on what I believe to be the best interests of my constituents,” Brandt said.

The new legislator said that his philosophy he adopted many years ago was given to him by Art Ospelt.

“He told me to vote your conscience. And, I’ll tell you the same thing he told me, my vote is not for sale,” he said. “I do not vote on the basis of fear or favor. That’s the philosophy I follow and it’s a little too late in the game for me to change now.

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